- 1 10-ounce bag fresh spinach, washed, drained, and stemmed
- 4 tablespoons (½ stick) butter
- 1 medium onion, peeled and diced
- 1 pound yellow summer squash (about 3 small), cubed
- 1 pound potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 3 cups water
- 1 cup milk
- 1½ teaspoons fine sea salt, or more to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 cup ditalini or other soup pasta
- Grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, for serving
- Place the spinach in a 3-quart soup pot, cover, and cook without any additional water until limp, about 3 minutes. Drain the spinach in a colander and let cool. Press out the excess water with a wooden spoon, then coarsely chop the spinach. Set aside.
- Wipe out the soup pot, return it to the heat, and melt 2 tablespoons of the butter. Add the onion and saute over medium heat until soft. Add the squash and potatoes, and cook the vegetables together, stirring often, for about 5 minutes. Add the water, milk, salt, and pepper. Stir, combining ingredients well, cover the pot, and boil gently for 20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender. Turn off the heat.
- In a skillet, heat the remaining butter. Add the spinach and cook for 3 or 4 minutes. Add the spinach to the soup and stir well to blend.
- In a food processor, puree the soup in batches until smooth. Return the soup to the soup pot and set aside.
- In a medium saucepan, boil the pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and add to the soup.
- To serve, reheat the soup and serve in individual bowls. Pass the cheese for sprinkling on top.
- Variation: Use thin slices of uncooked yellow squash as a garnish.